Download - The Book of the Way
道德經Dàodéjīng
夏令Summertime
In a great attempt to wipe out the Riddington Family (or so my 16 year old sister believes), my father unconventionally moved the family to Shanghai, China this year.
Optimistically, scared, filled with strange emotions, I completed my first year of FCP year one preparing myself for the biggest transition in my life (as of yet…!).To my annoyance, I secured an internship at the beginning of the summer before knowledge of ever moving to Shanghai.
Two weeks in the Tesco CE Boyswear Head Buying Department, what a mare. Of course, things always turn out ‘okay’ and I admittedly had a brilliant time. Amid the course of my internship, the absence of the Assistant Buyer endowed me with responsibility of this demanding role.
Along with all the expected spreadsheets, mood and story boards and maintaining of stock, the weekly sales meetings, model fittings and presentations I observed were the factors that truly gave the two weeks
an interesting, exciting angle.
A brilliant surprise and act of kindness, my good friend invited me (as if I would refuse) to stay at her villa and yacht in Alicante! My birthday, the end of two weeks work experience and hot sun!
¡Arriba!
During the more ‘routine’ days at Shokay, we created a campaign launching the new fashion range within Shokay. A website, look books, promotional materials for in store promotion and Berlin Fashion Week and Tradeshows, photo shoots, product and consumer research, visual merchandising and I even got a taste at modelling
(definitely not quitting the day job!)...
The four months interning with a brand cal led Shokay fulf i l led my stay in Shanghai hugely excit ing. Shokay makes yarn from Yak f ibre, impacting on the l ives of local communities oppressed by poverty . P rov id ing l oca l he rde rs w i th l ong - term employment and a greater susta inab le i ncome .
The Shokay store in Shanghai col laborates with a brand cal led NuoMi which supports a local orphanage. Vis it ing the orphanage gave a great insight on the impact that the two brands are making.
Although an emotional trip, it was very inspiring to see the help that is being given to children whom would have otherwise been denied necessary care and treatment.
When a friend of a friend of a friend (it’s not what you know, it’s who you know!) informed me that having seen my CV/portfolio, the owner of the only White Collar Boxing company in China had requested for me to intern with them over the
summer, I was more than surprised!
The success of the twice a year white collar boxing event, held in Shanghai spurred the decision to launch the Shanghai’s only Boxing Gym. Even though boxing, is most certainly NOT a field I would have ever considered working in, it was an offer I
couldn’t refuse.
6 weeks prior to opening and EVERYTHING (quite literally) had to be organised. The job involved everything; from finialising the logo, brand name and theme, to writing all contracts and manual guides, to designing all of the promotional material.
boxing Gym Shanghai China
Orient Express
Sophis/cated Rich colours Luxurious Drama/c Oriental Elegant Lavish Prints
Sexy Retro Country meets city Smart leisure 3me ‘Worn’ look Relaxed Check Jeans Cord
Girls
T62 – Top 10 Volume Lines
AW11 Buy Posi,on -‐ WomensAUTUMN/WINTER 2011
WK 24 -‐ 32 W/E 13/11-‐06/11WK 33 -‐ 42 W/E 13/11 -‐ 15/01
Dept Carryover AW11
TotalCarryover &AW Newness % New
Total FPEstimate
TY %
Contribution % BoughtTOTAL GM
62,382 51,723 114,093 45% 52,435 100% 218%
WOMENSWEAR 18,594 21,482 40,076 54% 24,190 46% 166%CASUALWEAR 11,189 3,682 14,871 25% 6,885 13% 216%
T41 CASUAL TOPS T41 750 1,495 2,245 67% 1,500 3% 150%T38 KNITWEAR T38 8,700 904 9,604 9% 3,785 7% 254%T51 LEISUREWEAR T51 600 248 848 29% 200 0% 424%T54 CASUAL BOTTOMS T54 639 1,036 1,675 62% 1,400 3% 120%SMARTWEAR 4,450 5,055 9,505 53% 7,600 14% 125%
T43FORMAL TOPS T43 -‐ 641 641 100% 900 2% 71%T57 FORMAL BOTTOMS T57 1,000 682 1,682 41% 1,400 3% 120%T59 SUITS AND JACKETS T59 1,500 302 1,802 17% 900 2% 200%T42 DRESSES T42 -‐ 691 691 100% 500 1% 138%T50 AUTOGRAPH T50 250 1,956 2,206 89% 1,900 4% 116%T49 COATS T49 1,700 783 2,483 32% 2,000 4% 124%FOOTWEAR & ACCESSORIES 2,755 6,552 9,307 70% 5,205 10% 179%
T01 ACCESSORIES T01 440 349 789 44% 690 1% 114%T02 FOOTWEAR T02 1,700 3,939 5,639 70% 3,000 6% 188%T06 JEWELLERY T06 386 1,315 1,701 77% 860 2% 198%T82 SLIPPERS T82 210 507 717 71% 220 0% 326%T83 HANDBAGS T83 19 443 461 96% 435 1% 106%BRANDS 200 6,193 6,393 97% 4,500 9% 142%
T69 LIMITED T69 200 2,727 2,927 93% 2,000 4% 146%T62 PER UNA T62 -‐ 3,466 3,466 100% 2,500 5% 139%
The final internship during my time in Shanghai was my only pre-arranged Internship. Shadowing the Head Buyer of all departments in Marks and Spencer China was greatly eye opening and I was
highly appreciative of this opportunity. Having interned with two buying departments in notably
diverse marketplaces, I encountered the contrasting fashions, how greatly the job itself varies internationally and the relationships with factories and manufacturers in a country where they are local.
That is my summer in brief, of course, I didn’t just work..! I got to know my new home, enjoyed being a complete tourist and had my
most exciting, fulfilling summers’ yet! These are just a few of my favourite photos
taken over the four months.
Holly Louise Riddington